Reps. Carnahan, Clarke defeated in incumbent vs. incumbent primaries

August 8, 2012

By Rachel Rose Hartman

Democratic Reps. Russ Carnahan of Missouri and Hansen Clarke of Michigan learned Tuesday that their congressional careers will be ending this January following losses in incumbent vs. incumbent primary races.

Racial politics factored into the election with Clay, who is black, and Carnahan, who is white, each courting black voters and arguing they would best represent that constituency. Clay also portrayed Carnahan as too conservative for the district.

Clay is now strongly favored to win this fall's general election in the Democratic-leaning district.

In Michigan, freshman Rep. Hansen Clarke of the current 13th District lost to Rep. Gary Peters of the 9th District: 29 to 39 percent. The candidates were competing in the newly-drawn Greater Detroit-area 14th District-- a majority-minority district.

Peters successfully fought to win local support despite not hailing from Detroit. Peters is highly likely to win the November race.